JP6107782B2 - Program and laser processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program and a laser processing apparatus for generating coordinate data of a plurality of points including a start point and an end point of each line segment constituting a figure to be laser processed.

  As a technique for generating coordinate data of a plurality of points including a start point and an end point of each line segment constituting a figure to be laser processed, for example, there is a laser marking device described in Patent Document 1 below.

  In the laser marking device described in Patent Document 1 below, as the set printing speed is faster, the coordinate data interval is determined to be longer, and from the start point to the end point of each line segment constituting the character etc. at the coordinate data interval. The coordinate data constituting each point of is generated.

  As a result, as the printing speed increases, a line segment with a wider dot interval is printed. However, when the printing speed is high, the tracking delay of the galvanometer mirror occurs naturally, and an inward phenomenon occurs when the line segment is connected diagonally. Therefore, even if the dot interval is wide, the print quality is not deteriorated.

  Moreover, since the total amount of coordinate data is reduced by the wide dot interval, high-speed printing is possible even if there is a restriction on the transfer speed.

  Further, when the set printing speed is slow, the follow-up delay of the Barbano mirror hardly occurs and a precise figure is drawn. However, since the interval of the coordinate data becomes short, the dots become dense and smooth printing becomes possible. At this time, the total amount of data to be transferred increases, but even if there is a restriction on the transfer speed, the print speed is slow, so that it can be transferred sufficiently.

  That is, in the laser marking apparatus described in Patent Document 1 below, the higher the scanning speed of the galvanometer mirror, the longer the coordinate data interval, so even if the printing speed is high, high-speed printing is not subject to transfer speed restrictions. It can be performed.

JP 2001-321970 A

  However, when the scanning speed of the galvanometer mirror is accelerated, a transient current flows. The magnitude of the transient current is proportional to the magnitude of acceleration of the scanning speed of the galvanometer mirror. Furthermore, the magnitude of the current is generally proportional to the magnitude of the power source.

  That is, when the scanning speed of the galvanometer mirror is high, the acceleration of the scanning speed of the galvanometer mirror is large, so that the transient current also increases. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a large power supply as a countermeasure against the transient current.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a program and a laser processing apparatus that can prevent a large transient current from flowing even when a scanning speed of a scanning unit is high. And

  In order to solve this problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of points including a start point and an end point representing both ends of a straight line in order to process a predetermined figure with a laser scanned by a scanning unit of a laser processing apparatus. A program for generating coordinate data in an arithmetic unit, an acquisition process for acquiring a constant scanning speed of the scanning unit, a decomposition process for decomposing the predetermined figure into one or a plurality of straight lines, and a decomposition process by the decomposition process A first process for generating first coordinate data in response to determining that the straight line is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance in the determination process; And a second generation process for generating second coordinate data different from the first coordinate data in response to determining that the straight line is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance in the determination process, wherein the first coordinate The data The coordinates of the inner point that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the line and that represents the end point of the line segment that is set to a constant first speed that is lower than the acquired scanning speed on the straight line. Data or an end point of a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant second speed lower than the acquired scanning speed The coordinate data of the inner point, the second coordinate data is a point inside the first coordinate data, and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to the acquired constant scanning speed It is the coordinate data of the 1 or several internal point showing the end point of the line segment to be performed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the program according to claim 1, wherein the first coordinate data is located at a predetermined interval from the start point of the straight line, and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line. Is the coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line segment set at a constant first speed slower than the acquired scanning speed, and the scanning on the straight line located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line This is characterized in that it is coordinate data of an inner point representing an end point of a line segment set at a constant second speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the program according to claim 2, wherein the first coordinate data is located at a predetermined interval from the start point of the straight line and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is Is a coordinate data of a plurality of internal points representing the end points of the line segment set to a constant first speed slower than the acquired scanning speed, or is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and on the straight line It is the coordinate data of a plurality of internal points representing the end points of the line segment set at a constant second speed that is lower than the acquired scanning speed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the program according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance is longer than a distance obtained by adding the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance, and the first distance is The scanning speed of the scanning unit is a distance of one line segment in the straight line set to the acquired constant scanning speed, and the second distance is the scanning speed of the scanning unit acquired A plurality of line segments set at a constant first speed slower than the scanning speed is a distance from the starting point of the straight line, and the third distance is determined by the scanning speed of the scanning unit from the acquired scanning speed. A plurality of line segments set at a slow constant second speed are distances that continue to the end point of the straight line.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided the program according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the scanning speed of the scanning unit is a constant first slower than the acquired scanning speed. The distance of the line segment set to the speed and the distance of the line segment set to a constant second speed at which the scanning speed of the scanning unit is slower than the acquired scanning speed are equal to the scanning speed of the scanning unit. It is shorter than the distance of the line segment set to the acquired fixed scanning speed.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determination process determines that the straight line is not more than a predetermined distance. A third generation process for generating third coordinate data that is coordinate data of all the internal points of the straight line, wherein the third coordinate data is located at a predetermined interval from the start point of the straight line and the scanning on the straight line; The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line segment set to a constant first speed that is lower than the acquired scanning speed, or located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and on the straight line The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line segment set at a constant second speed that is lower than the acquired scanning speed.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a laser processing apparatus, wherein an emission unit that emits a laser, a scanning unit that scans the laser emitted from the emission unit, and a predetermined figure are processed in order to process the predetermined figure Generating means for generating a plurality of coordinate data including a starting point and an ending point representing a scanning position of the scanning section and representing both ends of a straight line; and based on the plurality of coordinate data generated by the generating means, the scanning section and the A control unit that controls driving of the emitting unit, wherein the generation unit acquires a constant scanning speed of the scanning unit, decomposes the predetermined figure into one or a plurality of straight lines, and the decomposed one Determining whether or not two straight lines are greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, generating first coordinate data in response to determining that the straight line is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, and determining that the straight line is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance According to the first coordinate data Second coordinate data is generated, and the first coordinate data is located at a predetermined interval from the start point of the straight line, and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is slower than the acquired scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line segment set to a constant first speed, or the scanning at which the scanning speed of the scanning unit located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and on the straight line is acquired. It is the coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line segment set to a constant second speed slower than the speed, and the second coordinate data is a point inside the first coordinate data, and is on the straight line The scanning speed of the scanning unit is the coordinate data of one or a plurality of inner points representing the end points of the line segment set to the acquired constant scanning speed.

  That is, in the program and the laser processing apparatus according to claims 1 and 7, the predetermined figure to be laser processed is decomposed into one or a plurality of straight lines. The first coordinate data and the second coordinate data are generated in response to determining that the decomposed one straight line is a predetermined distance or more.

  The first coordinate data is an end point of a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is lower than a constant acquisition scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point to be represented, or the line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant second speed that is slower than the constant acquisition scanning speed It is the coordinate data of the inner point showing an end point.

  The second coordinate data is the coordinate data of one or a plurality of inner points representing the end points of the line segment where the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to a constant acquisition scanning speed.

  That is, in the program and the laser processing apparatus according to claims 1 and 7, the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is accelerated from the first speed slower than the acquisition scanning speed to the acquisition scanning speed, and from the acquisition scanning speed. Decelerate to a second speed slower than the acquisition scan speed. Therefore, the scanning speed of the scanning unit does not suddenly accelerate from zero to the acquisition scanning speed, but first accelerates to the first speed slower than the acquisition scanning speed and then accelerates to the acquisition scanning speed. In addition, the scanning speed of the scanning unit does not suddenly decrease from the acquisition scanning speed to zero, but first decreases to a second speed slower than the acquisition scanning speed and then decreases to zero.

  Therefore, in the program and the laser processing apparatus according to claims 1 and 7, even if the acquisition scanning speed that is the scanning speed of the scanning unit is fast, the scanning of the scanning unit is performed at the first speed or the second speed that is slower than the acquisition scanning speed. Since the acceleration of the speed is reduced and the current peak due to the transient response can be suppressed, it is possible to prevent a large transient current from flowing.

  In the program according to claim 2, the first coordinate data is generated when the straight line is equal to or longer than the predetermined distance.

  The first coordinate data is an end point of a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is lower than a constant acquisition scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point to be represented, and the line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant second speed that is lower than the constant acquisition scanning speed It is the coordinate data of the inner point showing an end point.

  Therefore, in the region from the start point and end point of the straight line to the position where the inner point is located at a predetermined interval, the acceleration of the scanning speed of the scanning unit is reduced and the current peak due to the transient response is further suppressed, so that a large transient current flows. Can be prevented more.

  In the program according to claim 3, the first coordinate data is generated in response to the straight line being equal to or longer than the predetermined distance.

  The first coordinate data is an end point of a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is lower than a constant acquisition scanning speed. Coordinate data of a plurality of internal points to be represented, or a line that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and that the scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant second speed that is slower than the constant acquisition scanning speed This is coordinate data of a plurality of internal points representing the minute end points.

  Accordingly, in the region from the start point and end point of the straight line to the position where a plurality of inner points are located at a predetermined interval, the acceleration of the scanning speed of the scanning unit is reduced and the current peak due to the transient response is further suppressed, so that a large transient It is possible to further prevent the current from flowing.

  In the program according to claim 4, the predetermined distance is longer than a distance obtained by adding the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance.

  The first distance is a distance of one line segment in the straight line where the scanning speed of the scanning unit is set to a constant acquisition scanning speed. The second distance is a distance in which a plurality of line segments set to a constant first speed that is slower than a constant acquisition scanning speed are continuous from the start point of the straight line. The third distance is a distance in which a plurality of line segments set at a constant second speed, which is slower than the constant acquisition scanning speed, continue to the end point of the straight line.

  Therefore, the current peak due to the transient response can be suppressed even at a distance corresponding to the long portion, and a large transient current can be prevented from flowing.

  In the program according to claim 5, the distance between the line segment set to a constant first speed that is lower than the constant acquisition scanning speed and the acquisition scanning speed at which the scanning speed of the scanning part is constant. The distance of the line segment set to the constant second speed slower than the line segment is set to be shorter than the distance of the line segment set to the constant acquisition scanning speed. Therefore, even if the acceleration of the scanning speed of the scanning unit in the laser processing apparatus is reduced, the increase in processing time by the laser can be reduced.

  In the program according to claim 6, the third coordinate data is generated in response to the fact that the straight line is not longer than the predetermined distance.

  The third coordinate data represents an end point of a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the start point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. Coordinate data of a point or an end point of a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and whose scanning speed on the straight line is set to a constant second speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed It is the coordinate data of a point.

  Therefore, even if the straight line has a distance that is short enough to prevent the scanning speed of the scanning unit from being set as the acquisition scanning speed, a combination of line segments that is optimal for the distance of the straight line (that is, the first slower than the acquisition scanning speed) 1 speed or a combination of 2 speeds) can be generated.

It is a schematic structure of the laser processing system 1 which concerns on this embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a print information creation device 2 and a laser processing unit 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the program of the coordinate data generation process which CPU61 of the printing information creation apparatus 2 performs. It is a display example of a user interface screen at the time of print design on the liquid crystal display. It is a display example of a user interface screen when printing is set on the liquid crystal display. This is an example of disassembling a predetermined figure into a plurality of straight lines. It is the figure which showed the figure which carries out marking (printing) processing with the laser beam LA scanned with the galvano scanner. It is a figure which shows the transient current which flows into the galvano scanner. It is a figure which shows the line segment set on the figure of FIG. 13 when implementing this invention. It is a figure which shows the transient current which flows into the galvano scanner 18 when implementing this invention. (A)-(e) is a figure which shows the example which decomposed | disassembled the straight line into the line segment, when implementing this invention.

  Hereinafter, a laser processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which the laser processing system is embodied.

[1. Schematic configuration of laser processing system]
First, a schematic configuration of the laser processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a laser processing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a print information creation device 2 and a laser processing unit 3 that are configured by a personal computer or the like.

  The print information creating apparatus 2 includes a control unit 51 that controls the entire print information creating apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 2 to be described later, an input operation unit 55 including a mouse 52 and a keyboard 53 shown in FIG. ) 56, a CD-R / W 58 for writing and reading various data, programs and the like on the CD-ROM 57. Characters, symbols, figures, and the like are input to the print information creation device 2 by the input operation unit 55. In addition, the input operation unit 55 determines the arrangement positions of characters, symbols, graphics, and the like that have been input to the workpiece 7 in accordance with the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 56. The print information creating apparatus 2 determines an image showing the input characters, symbols, figures, etc. according to the input by the input operation unit 55, and creates print information showing the position information of the points constituting the image. An input operation unit 55, a liquid crystal display 56, a CD-R / W 58, and the like are connected to the control unit 51 via an input / output interface (not shown).

  The CD-R / W 58 reads or writes various application software such as the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 from the CD-ROM 57.

  The laser processing unit 3 includes a laser processing apparatus main body unit 5 and a laser controller 6. The laser processing apparatus main body 5 performs marking (printing) processing by two-dimensionally scanning and irradiating the processing surface 7A of the processing object 7 with the laser beam LA.

  The laser controller 6 is configured by a computer, and is connected to the print information generating apparatus 2 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and is electrically connected to the laser processing apparatus main body 5. The laser controller 6 drives and controls the laser processing apparatus main body 5 based on the print information, control parameters, various instruction information, and the like transmitted from the print information creation apparatus 2. That is, the laser controller 6 controls the entire laser processing unit 3.

  A schematic configuration of the laser processing apparatus main body 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the laser processing apparatus main body 5, the left direction, the right direction, the upper direction, and the lower direction in FIG. 1 are the front direction, the rear direction, the upper direction, and the lower direction, respectively. The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the laser processing apparatus main body 5 is the left-right direction of the laser processing apparatus main body 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser processing apparatus main body 5 includes a main body base 11, a laser oscillation unit 12 that emits laser light LA, an optical shutter 13, a light damper (not shown), and a half mirror (not shown). And a guide light section 15, a reflection mirror 16, an optical sensor 17, a galvano scanner 18, an fθ lens 19, and the like, and covered with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing cover (not shown).

  The laser oscillation unit 12 includes a laser oscillator 21, a beam expander 22, and a mounting base 23. The laser oscillator 21 is configured by a CO2 laser, a YAG laser, or the like, and outputs a laser beam LA for performing marking (printing) processing on the processing surface 7A of the processing target 7. The beam expander 22 adjusts the beam diameter of the laser light LA (for example, increases the beam diameter), and is provided coaxially with the laser oscillator 21. The mounting base 23 is attached so that the laser oscillator 21 can adjust the optical axis of the laser light LA, and is fixed to the upper surface on the rear side of the main body base 11 with respect to the center position in the front-rear direction by the mounting screws 25.

  The optical shutter unit 13 includes a shutter motor 26 and a flat shutter 27. The shutter motor 26 is composed of a stepping motor or the like. The shutter 27 is attached to the motor shaft of the shutter motor 26 and rotates coaxially. When the shutter 27 is rotated to a position that blocks the optical path of the laser beam LA emitted from the beam expander 22, the optical damper (not shown) provided the laser beam LA in the right direction with respect to the optical shutter unit 13. Reflect to. On the other hand, when the shutter 27 is rotated so as not to be positioned on the optical path of the laser light LA emitted from the beam expander 22, the laser light LA emitted from the beam expander 22 is transmitted to the front side of the optical shutter unit 13. The light is incident on a half mirror (not shown) arranged in the figure.

  An optical damper (not shown) absorbs the laser light LA reflected by the shutter 27. The optical damper (not shown) is cooled by a cooling device (not shown). The half mirror (not shown) is arranged so as to form an angle of 45 degrees obliquely in the lower left direction with respect to the optical path of the laser beam LA. A half mirror (not shown) transmits almost all of the laser beam LA incident from the rear side. The half mirror (not shown) reflects a part of the laser beam LA incident from the rear side, for example, 1% of the laser beam LA to the reflection mirror 16 at a reflection angle of 45 degrees. The reflection mirror 16 is arranged in the left direction with respect to a substantially central position of the rear side surface on which the laser beam LA of a half mirror (not shown) is incident.

  The guide light unit 15 converts visible laser light that is visible coherent light, for example, a visible semiconductor laser 28 that emits red laser light (see FIG. 2), and visible laser light emitted from the visible semiconductor laser 28 into parallel light. And a lens group (not shown) that converges. The visible laser beam has a wavelength different from that of the laser beam LA emitted from the laser oscillator 21. The guide light unit 15 is arranged in the right direction with respect to a substantially central position where the laser light LA of a half mirror (not shown) is emitted. As a result, the visible laser beam is incident on the front side of the half mirror (not shown), that is, the incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the front side of the half mirror (not shown), that is, the laser beam LA of the half mirror (not shown). Are reflected on the optical path of the laser beam LA at a reflection angle of 45 degrees.

  Here, the reflectance of a half mirror (not shown) has wavelength dependency. Specifically, the half mirror (not shown) is subjected to surface treatment of a multilayer film structure of a dielectric layer and a metal layer, has a high reflectance with respect to the wavelength of visible laser light, The wavelength light is configured to transmit almost (99%).

  The reflection mirror 16 is disposed so as to form an angle of 45 degrees obliquely in the lower left direction with respect to the front-rear direction parallel to the optical path of the laser beam LA, and is reflected by the rear side surface of the half mirror (not shown). Part of LA is incident at an incident angle of 45 degrees with respect to the approximate center position of the reflecting surface. The reflection mirror 16 reflects the laser beam LA incident on the reflection surface at an incident angle of 45 degrees toward the front side at a reflection angle of 45 degrees.

  The optical sensor 17 is configured by a photodetector or the like that detects the emission intensity of the laser light LA, and is disposed in the front direction in FIG. 1 with respect to a substantially central position where the laser light LA of the reflection mirror 16 is reflected. As a result, the optical sensor 17 receives the laser beam LA reflected by the reflecting mirror 16, and detects the emission intensity of the incident laser beam LA. Therefore, it is possible to detect the emission intensity of the laser beam LA output from the laser oscillator 21 via the optical sensor 17.

  The galvano scanner 18 is attached to the upper side of the through hole formed at the front end of the main body base 11, and includes laser light LA emitted from the laser oscillation unit 12, visible laser light reflected by a half mirror (not shown), and Is two-dimensionally scanned downward. The galvano scanner 18 includes a galvano X-axis motor 31 and a galvano Y-axis motor 32 that are fitted into the mounting portion 33 from the outside so that the respective motor shafts are orthogonal to each other. Scanning mirrors attached to the tip end face each other inside. Then, the rotation of each of the motors 31 and 32 is controlled to rotate each scanning mirror, thereby two-dimensionally scanning the laser beam LA and the visible laser beam downward. The two-dimensional scanning direction is a front-rear direction (X direction) and a left-right direction (Y direction).

  The fθ lens 19 condenses the laser beam LA and the visible laser beam two-dimensionally scanned by the galvano scanner 18 on the processing surface 7A of the processing object 7 disposed below. Therefore, by controlling the rotation of the motors 31 and 32, the laser beam LA and the visible laser beam are formed on the processing surface 7A of the processing object 7 in a desired print pattern in the front-rear direction (X direction) and the left-right direction ( Two-dimensional scanning is performed in the Y direction).

  Next, the circuit configuration of the print information creation device 2 and the laser processing unit 3 constituting the laser processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the circuit configuration of the laser processing unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the laser processing unit 3 includes a laser controller 6, a galvano controller 35, a galvano driver 36, a laser driver 37, a semiconductor laser driver 38, and the like that control the entire laser processing unit 3. The laser controller 6 is electrically connected to a galvano controller 35, a laser driver 37, a semiconductor laser driver 38, an optical sensor 17, a shutter motor 26, and the like. An external print information creation device 2 is connected to the laser controller 6 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The print information transmitted from the print information creation device 2, the control parameters of the laser processing device main body 5, Instruction information and the like can be received.

  The laser controller 6 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a timer 44 for measuring time, and the like as a calculation device and a control device that control the entire laser processing unit 3. The CPU 41, the RAM 42, the ROM 43, and the timer 44 are connected to each other via a bus line (not shown) and exchange data with each other.

  The RAM 42 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 41, XY coordinate data of the print pattern, and the like. The ROM 43 stores various programs. From the position information of the image indicated by the print information transmitted from the print information creation device 2, the ROM 43 indicates a continuous point of position information as one straight line or elliptical arc line. A print pattern in which XY coordinate data for each line and a print timing indicating a timing for printing the line on the workpiece 7 by the laser beam LA according to the XY coordinate data are calculated and stored in the RAM 42, etc. The various programs are stored. The ROM 43 stores data such as the font start point, end point, focal point, curvature, etc. of each character composed of straight lines and elliptical arcs for each font type. For example, the print pattern includes XY coordinate data indicating at least a print start point and a print end point for each line for each line formed of a straight line or an elliptical arc. The processing order is determined for each XY coordinate data. The print pattern is calculated by various programs based on the data stored in the ROM 43.

  Further, the ROM 43 stores the thickness, depth, and number of print patterns corresponding to the print information received from the print information creation device 2, the laser output of the laser oscillator 21, the laser pulse width of the laser beam LA, and the laser from the galvano scanner 18. A program for storing various control parameters such as galvano scanning speed information indicating the speed of scanning the light LA in the RAM 42 is stored. The print timing of the print pattern is time data for which the required print time is obtained according to the galvano scanning speed information for each straight line or elliptical arc constituted by the XY coordinate data.

  The CPU 41 performs various calculations and controls based on various programs stored in the ROM 43. For example, the CPU 41 outputs the XY coordinate data of the print pattern calculated based on the print information input from the print information creation device 2, the print timing, galvano scanning speed information, and the like to the galvano controller 35. Further, the CPU 41 outputs laser drive information such as the laser output of the laser oscillator 21 and the laser pulse width of the laser light LA set based on the print information input from the print information generating device 2 to the laser driver 37. The CPU 41 outputs a laser output control signal of the laser oscillator 21 to the laser driver 37 based on the light emission intensity of the laser light LA input from the optical sensor 17.

  The CPU 41 outputs to the semiconductor laser driver 38 an on signal for instructing the start of lighting of the visible semiconductor laser 28 or an off signal for instructing to turn it off. The CPU 41 instructs the shutter motor 26 to rotate the shutter 27 to a position that does not block the optical path of the laser beam LA, or to block the shutter 27 to a position that does not block the optical path of the laser beam LA. An opening instruction signal for instructing is output.

  The galvano controller 35 calculates drive angles, rotational speeds, and the like of the galvano X-axis motor 31 and the galvano Y-axis motor 32 based on XY coordinate data, galvano scanning speed information, and the like of the print pattern input from the laser controller 6. Motor drive information representing the drive angle and rotation speed is output to the galvano driver 36. The galvano driver 36 drives and controls the galvano X-axis motor 31 and the galvano Y-axis motor 32 on the basis of the motor drive information representing the drive angle and rotation speed input from the galvano controller 35, and the laser beam LA and the visible laser beam. Are two-dimensionally scanned.

  The laser driver 37 controls the laser oscillator 21 based on the laser output of the laser oscillator 21 input from the laser controller 6, the laser drive information such as the laser pulse width of the laser beam LA, the laser output control signal of the laser oscillator 21, and the like. To drive. Further, the semiconductor laser driver 38 drives the visible semiconductor laser 28 to turn on or off based on the ON signal or OFF signal input from the laser controller 6.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the print information creating apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 51 of the print information creation device 2 includes a CPU 61, a RAM 62, a ROM 63, a timer 65 for measuring time, and a hard disk as an arithmetic unit and a control device that perform overall control of the print information creation device 2. A drive (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 66 is provided. The CPU 61, the RAM 62, the ROM 63, and the timer 65 are connected to each other via a bus line (not shown), and exchange data with each other. The CPU 61 and the HDD 66 are connected via an input / output interface (not shown) to exchange data with each other.

  The RAM 62 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 61. The ROM 63 stores various programs, such as the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 9. 3 to 9 may be stored in the HDD 66, read from a storage medium such as the CD-ROM 57, or downloaded from a network such as the Internet (not shown). Good.

  The HDD 66 stores various application software programs and various data files, and is provided with at least a storage area and the like.

[2. Outline of the present invention]
The present invention suppresses the peak of the transient current of the galvano scanner 18 when performing marking (printing) processing with the laser beam LA scanned by the galvano scanner 18 of the laser processing system 1.

  For example, when the present invention is not carried out, when marking (printing) a square with the four straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, and RL4 shown in FIG. 13, the current value IP1 is peaked as shown in FIG. The transient current flows through the galvano scanner 18. Note that the arrows of the four straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, and RL4 shown in FIG. 13 indicate the scanning direction of the laser light LA.

  On the other hand, when implementing this invention, a line segment is provided on the figure shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, line segments SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4 starting from the start points of the four straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, RL4 are set, and the end points of the four straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, RL4 are set. Set line segments EL1, EL2, EL3, EL4 ending in. Note that the arrows of the four straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, and RL4 shown in FIG. 15 indicate the scanning direction of the laser beam LA.

  And when marking (printing) a quadrangle with the four straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, and RL4 shown in FIG. 15, the laser light on each line segment SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4, EL1, EL2, EL3, EL4 The scanning speed of LA is made slower than the case where the present invention is not implemented. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, a transient current having a peak at a current value IP2 lower than the current value IP1 shown in FIG. The line segments SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4, EL1, EL2, EL3, EL4 are 0.1 mm, the length of the straight lines RL1, RL2, RL3, RL4 is 0.02 times the length of the line segment, and the coordinate point As a result of experimenting with the numbers Nd1 and Nd2 as 3, a transient current having a current value IP2 lower by 40% than the current value IP1 having no fixed line segment flowed.

[3. Coordinate data generation process]
Next, coordinate data generation processing executed by the CPU 61 of the print information generating apparatus 2 of the laser processing system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”) 1, the CPU 61 performs a print design / print setting input process. In this processing, an input operation unit 55 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 56 including the mouse 52 and the keyboard 53 shown in FIG. 1 are used.

  In the print design input process, a user interface screen UI1 shown in FIG. The user inputs a print design on the user interface screen UI1 of the liquid crystal display 56 using the mouse 52, the keyboard 53, and the like. In the user interface screen UI1 shown in FIG. 10, “ABC” is input as the print design. In response to the user clicking the print setting button AT on the user interface screen UI1 with the mouse 52, the CPU 61 advances the process to the input process of print setting.

  In the print setting input process, the user interface screen UI2 shown in FIG. The user uses the mouse 52, the keyboard 53, and the like to input print settings on the user interface screen UI2 of the liquid crystal display 56. When the user changes the quality of FIG. 11 to “fast”, the scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 increases. Further, when the user changes the quality of FIG. 11 to “clean”, the scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 becomes slow.

  In S2, the CPU 61 performs a print start command process. This process is performed in response to the print button BU on the user interface screen shown in FIG.

  In S3, the CPU 61 performs a process of breaking the print design into straight lines according to the print settings. In this process, the straight line LL is left as it is, and the curve WL is divided into fine straight lines. For example, for the print design of “B”, the straight line LL remains as it is, and the curve WL is decomposed into ten straight lines L1 to L10 as shown in FIG. Note that the painting is performed by the set painting method. The set filling method includes, for example, horizontal filling at a set interval.

  In S4, the CPU 61 performs coordinate point generation processing for generating coordinate points. In this process, first, the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is performed.

  In S400, the CPU 61 performs an input process for the length L of the straight line.

  In S401, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the length L of the i-th straight line input in S400 is shorter than Nd1 × first interval d1 + distance Vd + Nd2 × second interval d2. Here, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is equal to or larger than Nd1 × first interval d1 + distance Vd + Nd2 × second interval d2 (S401: NO), the process proceeds to S11 of FIG. 5 described later. . On the other hand, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than Nd1 × first interval d1 + distance Vd + Nd2 × second interval d2 (S401: YES), the process proceeds to S402. The generation cycle T in which the coordinate points are generated is 1 msec, for example. The length L of the straight line is, for example, 5 mm. The first interval d1 is, for example, 0.1 mm. The second interval d2 is, for example, 0.1 mm. Δd is, for example, 0.05 mm. The distance Vd that moves in the generation period T is, for example, 1 mm. Therefore, the scanning speed V is Vd / T = 1 mm / 1 msec = 1 m / s. The first speed V1 is, for example, d1 / T = 0.1 mm / 1 msec = 0.1 m / s. The second speed V2 is, for example, d2 / T = 0.1 m / s.

  In S402, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than Nd1 × first interval d1 + Nd2 × second interval d2. Here, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is equal to or greater than Nd1 × first interval d1 + Nd2 × second interval d2 (S402: NO), the process proceeds to S21 of FIG. 6 described later. On the other hand, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than Nd1 × first interval d1 + Nd2 × second interval d2 (S402: NO), the process proceeds to S403.

  In S403, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than Nd1 × first interval d1. Here, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is equal to or greater than Nd1 × first interval d1 (S403: NO), the process proceeds to S31 of FIG. 7 described later. On the other hand, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than Nd1 × first interval d1 (S403: NO), the process proceeds to S404.

  In S404, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than the first interval d1. Here, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is equal to or longer than the first interval d1 (S404: YES), the process proceeds to S41 in FIG. On the other hand, when the length L of the straight line input in S400 is shorter than the first interval d1 (S404: NO), the process proceeds to S51 in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to S11 of FIG. 5, for example, coordinate points are generated and stored as in the case of FIG.

  First, in S11, the CPU 61 generates coordinate points Nd1 times from the start point of the straight line by the distance of the first interval d1 toward the end point of the straight line. In the case of FIG. 17A, Nd1 = 3 times. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62.

  In S12, the CPU 61 generates points by the distance Vd from the coordinate point generated last in S11 toward the end point of the straight line.

  In S13, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the distance LVd is shorter than the distance Vd × (n + 1). As shown in FIG. 17A, the distance LVd is the distance between the first Nd coordinate point generated in S11 and the coordinate point toward the start point of the straight line by the distance of the second interval d2 × Nd2 from the end point of the straight line. Distance. n is a variable that defaults to “1”. If the distance LVd is equal to or greater than the distance Vd × (n + 1) (S13: NO), the process proceeds to S14.

  In S14, after incrementing the variable n, the CPU 61 returns to S12 and moves the point toward the end point of the straight line by the distance Vd.

  On the other hand, if the distance LVd is shorter than the distance Vd × (n + 1) in S13 (S13: YES), the process proceeds to S15. At this time, the CPU 61 generates a coordinate point toward the end point of the straight line by a distance Vd × n from the Nd first coordinate point generated in S11. In the case of FIG. 17A, n = 1. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62.

  In S15, the CPU 61 generates a point toward the end point of the straight line by Δd from the coordinate point generated in S13. Δd can be calculated by Δd = straight line LVd−Vd × n. That is, a coordinate point is generated from the end point of the straight line toward the start point of the straight line by a distance of the second interval d2 × Nd2. In the case of FIG. 17A, Nd2 = 2. The distance between the coordinate point generated in S13: YES and the coordinate point generated in S15 is Δd.

  In S16, the CPU 61 generates coordinate points Nd2 times from the coordinate point generated in S15 toward the end point of the straight line by the distance of the second interval d2. Note that the Nd second coordinate point is the end point of the straight line. In the case of FIG. 17A, Nd2 = 2 times. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5 in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to S21 in FIG. 6, for example, coordinate points are generated and stored as in the case of FIG.

  First, in S21, the CPU 61 generates coordinate points Nd1 times from the start point of the straight line to the end point of the straight line by the distance of the first interval d1. In the case of FIG. 17B, Nd1 = 3 times. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62.

  In S22, the CPU 61 generates a point toward the end point of the straight line by Δd from the coordinate point generated in S21. That is, a coordinate point is generated from the end point of the straight line toward the start point of the straight line by a distance of the second interval d2 × Nd2. In the case of FIG. 17B, Nd2 = 2. The distance between the Nd first coordinate point generated in S21 and the coordinate point generated in S22 is Δd.

  In S23, the CPU 61 generates coordinate points Nd2 times from the coordinate point generated in S22 toward the end point of the straight line by the distance of the second interval d2. The Nd second coordinate point generated in S23 is the end point of the straight line. In the case of FIG. 17B, Nd2 = 2 times. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5 in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to S31 in FIG. 7, for example, coordinate points are generated and stored as in the case of FIG. 17C.

  First, in S31, the CPU 61 generates a coordinate point Nd1 times from the start point of the straight line by the distance of the first interval d1 toward the end point of the straight line. In the case of FIG. 17C, Nd1 = 3 times. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62.

  In S32, the CPU 61 obtains the maximum value Nd2m of Nd2 so as to satisfy the second distance d2> Δd. In the case of FIG. 17C, Nd2m = 1. Specifically, the maximum value Nd2m of Nd2 can be calculated by the maximum value of Nd2 Nd2m = (L−Nd1 × d1) / d2.

  In S33, a point separated by Δd from the first Nd coordinate point toward the end point is generated. That is, a coordinate point is generated from the end point of the straight line toward the start point of the straight line by a distance of the second interval d2 × Nd2m. In the case of FIG. 17C, Nd2m = 1. The distance between the Nd first coordinate point generated in S31 and the coordinate point generated in S33 is Δd.

  In S34, the CPU 61 generates coordinate points Nd2m times from the coordinate point generated in S33 toward the end point of the straight line by the distance of the second interval d2. The Nd2mth coordinate point is the end point of the straight line. In the case of FIG. 17C, Nd2m = 1. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5 of FIG.

  When the process proceeds to S41 in FIG. 8, for example, coordinate points are generated and stored as in the case of FIG.

  First, in S41, the CPU 61 obtains the maximum value Ndm1 of Nd1 so as to satisfy the first distance d1> Δd. In the case of FIG. 17D, Nd1m = 2. Specifically, the maximum value Nd1m of Nd1 can be calculated by the maximum value of Nd1 Nd1m = L / d1.

  In S42, the CPU 61 generates coordinate points Nd1m times from the start point of the straight line by the distance of the first interval d1 toward the end point of the straight line. In the case of FIG. 17D, Nd1m = 2 times. The generated coordinate points are stored in the RAM 62.

  In S43, the CPU 61 generates a point separated by Δd from the Nd1mth coordinate point as an end point. The CPU 61 can calculate by Δd = L−Nd1m × d1. That is, the distance between the Nd1mth coordinate point generated in S42 and the end point of the straight line is Δd. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5 in FIG.

  When the process proceeds to S51 in FIG. 9, for example, coordinate points are generated and stored as in the case of FIG.

  First, in S51, the CPU 61 generates a point separated by Δd from the start point as an end point. The CPU 61 can calculate with Δd = L. That is, the distance from the start point to the end point of the straight line is Δd. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S5 in FIG.

  Further, with respect to the line segment of the first interval d1, the line segment of the distance Vd × n, the line segment of the distance Δd, and the line segment of the second interval d2 divided by the coordinate points generated in FIGS. The scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 is set as follows.

  The scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 with respect to the line segment of the distance Vd × n is a normal scanning speed determined by the print setting input in S1. The normal scanning speed is a distance Vd / unit time. Specifically, the unit time is a generation cycle in which coordinate points are generated. The generation cycle is 1 msec, for example.

  The scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 with respect to the line segment of the first interval d1 is set to a scanning speed slower than the normal scanning speed.

  The scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 with respect to the line segment of the second interval d2 is set to a scanning speed slower than the normal scanning speed.

  The scanning speed of the galvano scanner 18 with respect to the line segment of the distance Δd is slower than the normal scanning speed, but faster than the scanning speed of the line segment of the first interval d1 and the scanning speed of the line segment of the second interval d2. Set to scan speed.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in S <b> 5, the CPU 61 determines whether or not all straight lines have been processed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the subroutine of S4 has been completed for all the straight lines of the print design input in S1. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the number Lm of all straight lines of the print design is equal to or smaller than a variable i indicating the number of straight lines subjected to the coordinate generation processing. The number Lm of straight lines is 4, for example.

  If the process of S4 has not been completed for all the straight lines of the print design input in S1 for the print design input in S1, the process proceeds to S6. In S6, the CPU 61 shifts the process to the next straight line. Specifically, the variable i is incremented. After the end of S6, the CPU 61 returns to S4 and repeats the process of S4. On the other hand, when the process of S4 is completed for all the straight lines of the print design input in S1 (S5: YES), the CPU 61 ends the coordinate data generation process.

[4. Others]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.
For example, the coordinate data generation process shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 is executed by the CPU 61 of the print information generating apparatus 2 of the laser processing system 1, but is executed by the CPU 41 of the laser controller 6 of the laser processing system 1. Also good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser processing system 2 Print information preparation apparatus 3 Laser processing apparatus 6 Laser controller 18 Galvano scanner 21 Laser oscillator 41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM
51 Control unit 57 CD-ROM
61 CPU
62 RAM
63 ROM
66 HDD
LA laser light

Claims (7)

A program for causing a computing device to generate a plurality of coordinate data including a start point and an end point representing both ends of a straight line in order to process a predetermined figure with a laser scanned by a scanning unit of a laser processing apparatus,
An acquisition process for acquiring a constant scanning speed of the scanning unit;
Disassembling the predetermined figure into one or a plurality of straight lines;
A determination process for determining whether one straight line decomposed in the decomposition process is a predetermined distance or more;
A first generation process for generating first coordinate data in response to determining that the straight line is a predetermined distance or more in the determination process;
A second generation process for generating second coordinate data different from the first coordinate data in response to determining that the straight line is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance in the determination process,
The first coordinate data is a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and that the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line or the second speed that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is lower than the acquired scanning speed. Is the coordinate data of the inner point that represents the end point of the line segment
The second coordinate data is a point inside the first coordinate data, and represents an end point of a line segment in which the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to the acquired constant scanning speed. A program characterized by being coordinate data of one or more internal points.   The first coordinate data is a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and that the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the straight line, and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line is set to a constant second speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. It is the coordinate data of the internal point showing the end point of the line segment to be performed, The program of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The first coordinate data is a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and that the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. Coordinate data of a plurality of inner points representing the end points of the image, or a constant second speed that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and that the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is slower than the acquired scanning speed The program according to claim 2, wherein the program is coordinate data of a plurality of internal points representing end points of a line segment set in (1). The predetermined distance is longer than a distance obtained by adding the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance,
The first distance is a distance of one line segment in the straight line in which the scanning speed of the scanning unit is set to the acquired constant scanning speed,
The second distance is a distance in which a plurality of line segments set at a constant first speed at which the scanning speed of the scanning unit is slower than the acquired scanning speed are continuous from the start point of the straight line,
The third distance is a distance in which a plurality of line segments set at a constant second speed whose scanning speed of the scanning unit is lower than the acquired scanning speed are continuous to the end point of the straight line. The program according to claim 3. The distance of the line segment set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed, and the constant first speed that is lower than the acquired scanning speed. The distance of the line segment set to 2 speed is
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a scanning speed of the scanning unit is shorter than a distance of the line segment set to the acquired constant scanning speed. A third generation process for generating third coordinate data, which is the coordinate data of all internal points of the straight line, in response to determining that the straight line is not more than a predetermined distance in the determination process;
The third coordinate data is a line segment that is positioned at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and that the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line or the second speed that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is lower than the acquired scanning speed. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the program is coordinate data of an inner point representing an end point of a line segment. An emitting section for emitting a laser;
A scanning unit that scans the laser emitted from the emitting unit;
Generating means for generating a plurality of coordinate data including a start point and an end point representing both ends of a straight line, indicating a scanning position of the scanning unit in order to process a predetermined figure;
A control unit that controls driving of the scanning unit and the emitting unit based on the plurality of coordinate data generated by the generating unit;
The generating means includes
Obtaining a constant scanning speed of the scanning unit;
Disassembling the predetermined figure into one or more straight lines;
Determining whether the decomposed straight line is a predetermined distance or more;
In response to determining that the straight line is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance, first coordinate data is generated,
Generating second coordinate data different from the first coordinate data in response to determining that the straight line is a predetermined distance or more;
The first coordinate data is a line segment that is located at a predetermined interval from the starting point of the straight line and that the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to a constant first speed that is slower than the acquired scanning speed. The coordinate data of the inner point representing the end point of the line or the second speed that is located at a predetermined interval from the end point of the straight line and the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is lower than the acquired scanning speed. Is the coordinate data of the inner point that represents the end point of the line segment
The second coordinate data is a point inside the first coordinate data, and represents an end point of a line segment in which the scanning speed of the scanning unit on the straight line is set to the acquired constant scanning speed. A laser processing apparatus characterized by being coordinate data of one or a plurality of internal points.

Images